Hyacinth bloom under control in Fitzroy River

Published on 16 January 2019

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Residents driving across the bridges this morning would have noticed blooms of Hyacinth are particularly prominent in the Fitzroy today.

Planning and Regulatory Chair Councillor Ellen Smith said the Hyacinth has most likely come from upstream of the region after recent rain in the catchment.

“Our pest management team proactively control these weeds all year round and is using a number of methods as part of an ongoing program to protect our river’s health,” Cr Smith said.

“The issue with Hyacinth is that it impedes water flow, reduces fish habitat and blocks access to water for stock and wildlife.

“There’s always small amounts of aquatic weeds in our river system but, with the extra weeds around at the moment, it’s especially important for our boaties to take care to make sure it doesn’t build up on their anchors or get tangled in the propellers.

“Hyacinth doesn’t survive in salt water so the bloom we’re seeing at the moment won’t spread further downstream and our crews are continuing to treat our creeks locally,” Cr Smith said.

Environment Councillor Drew Wickerson said the bloom was a timely reminder for landholders that Council’s biocontrol options were available to them as well.

“Council utilises a variety of specific weevils to combat the growth of those pest plants. The adult weevil gets in and eats the leaves of the plants and lays their larvae in the stem. This then causes the stem to rot and stop the plant from being able to reproduce,” Cr Wickerson said.

“Thanks to a partnership with the Fitzroy Basin Association last year, we have actually been able to grow more weevils in our bio-tanks which are available for private landholders looking to combat Water Hyacinth, Salvinia and Water Lettuce.

“Council uses it to treat our waterways as an environmentally friendly option and I would encourage any landholders who have these pest plants in their properties to contact Council to arrange an inspection of water weeds and supply of the appropriate weevil variety,” Cr Wickerson said.